The guide lists the approximately 70 programs available, from grants, loans, to technical assistance and information and educational resources.

While the guide lists the programs in alphabetical order, the programs are also listed by category. Categories include:

Economic Development for Farms, Small Businesses and Communities

Farm Loans

Insurance and Risk Management

Natural Resources Conservation and Management

Nutrition and Consumer Food Access

Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation

Research and Outreach

Value Added and Marketing Innovations

The guide is available for free online or a paper copy is available for a $3 handling fee.

The guide is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was produced in cooperation with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). USDA agencies and programs that provided major support for the publication include Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE), U.S. Forest Service; and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

If you are a livestock producer who wants to request assistance for losses suffered from October 1, 2011 through December 31, 2014, the deadline to apply for assistance is fast approaching. The deadline to apply is January 30, 2015.

The Livestock Indemnity Program provides financial assistance to eligible producers for livestock deaths due to adverse weather, extreme temperatures, disease, wildfires, or attacks by animals re-introduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves and avian predators.

The Livestock Forage Disaster Program provides financial compensation to livestock producers that suffered grazing loss due to drought or fire. Qualifying droughts are based upon the U.S. Drought Monitor severity ratings and qualifying fires are those on rangeland managed by a federal agency and normally permitted for grazing.

Contact your local FSA office for more information on whether you potentially qualify, the types of records required to document losses, and any other questions you may have.

But what is interesting, at least to me, is that every state has wineries and breweries. Which require agricultural products, such as grapes and hops. The growth of wine-making and breweries augers an increase in niche, small-scale agriculture production.

So check out a local winery or brewery, support a local business and (more than likely) some local agriculture because there is something in every state!

For production on highly erodible land, a producer of annually tilled crops or sugarcane is required to use a Natural Resources Conservation Service approved conservation plan. If production occurs on a converted wetland, certain USDA benefits are not available.

Are there any deadlines? If so, what is required to be done before the deadline?

Yes. To be eligible for a crop insurance subsidy, a completed and signed form AD-1026 must be on file at the Farm Service Agency by June 1, 2015 for the 2016 reinsurance year (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016) and you, and any affiliated person, must be in compliance.

What is a form AD-1026?

Form AD-1026 is also called a “certificate of compliance” and is the form used to certify compliance with highly erodible land and wetlands conversion provisions.

Who determines if my farm has highly erodible land or wetland conservation?

The National Resource Conservation Service makes the determination.

How do I know if I am already in compliance?

If you are currently eligible for commodity, conservation, or disaster programs administered by FSA and the USDA, you are in compliance for crop insurance subsidy purposes. If you are unsure if you are eligible for commodity, conservation, or disaster programs, you may contact your local USDA service center.

Can I obtain crop insurance if I do not file the proper documentation and/or am not in compliance?

Yes, although you will pay the full crop insurance premium.

I do not grow annual crops; I insure only livestock and pasture. Must I still file a certificate of compliance?

Yes. To be eligible for any crop insurance premium subsidy, you must have a completed and signed form AD-1026 on file with the Farm Service Agency by June 1, 2015.

There are more technical questions and answers posted on the RMA FAQ. Feel free to take a look at the FAQs and if you have further questions, you are welcome to contact us!

A new year is always a good time to brush up on one’s knowledge and skills. If any of the below opportunities interest you, sign up — you never know what you can learn!

Women in Ag Learning Network is hosting a webinar January 20, 2015 at noon EST titled “Marketing Your Products: Turning Samples Into Sales” As the webinar states, “Providing product samples is a great way to help increase sales at your farmers market booth or farm stand. However, it is also important to do it in a way that does not give away all your product (and therefore profits!) and that also will provide a safe product that meets regulatory requirements. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to choose which products to sample, how to control costs in sampling, and generally how to make the most of sampling.” There are other webinars offered by the Women in Ag Learning Network, so check it out!

Another free webinar, this one focused upon Managing risks on an Urban Farm, is scheduled for January 15, 2015 at noon EST. Offered by National Center for Appropriate Technology, you may register only here.

If you are interested in Farm-to-Preschool programs and food safety, the University of Massachusetts Department of Nutrition and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension have developed a free, online, interactive food safety program, available here. You learn at your own pace, so if you are interested, take a look at the units available.

Farm Commons has webinars currently available concerning legal issues for farmers, as well as more webinars planned this winter.

Hopefully there is something available in the above that you find interesting and informative. If there is, let us know!

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This website and blog is for educational and informational purposes only. Please contact legal counsel in your state (or contact us to determine if you qualify for Legal Aid of Nebraska's services) to discuss your specific questions.

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Legal Aid of Nebraska's Farm and Ranch Project is the oldest continuously operating farm legal services program in the United States. Due to a grant from the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Legal Aid of Nebraska has the opportunity to further its range of services to Nebraska and South Dakota farmers and ranchers.